Posted by EdwardTLC

Uncategorized

Bloomsbury, the UK publishers of the Harry Potter novels, issued a press release today in response to copies of the final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, being released prior to the ‘UK, US and worldwide embargo time agreed with retailers, suppliers, and all third parties involved of 00.01AM British Summer Time on Saturday July 21st 2007.’ Being ‘extremely dismayed’ of the breach, the publishers note the worldwide embargo that the publisher’s customers in 93 various countries ‘robustly support’ and is being enforced ‘without exception.’

The press release also contains statements from author Jo Rowling and the publisher in regards to some media outlets releasing unauthenticated information against the specific the wishes of Jo Rowling and the publishers. Jo Rowling said today, in a statement:

“I am staggered that some American newspapers have decided to publish purported spoilers in the form of reviews in complete disregard of the wishes of literally millions of readers, particularly children, who wanted to reach Harry’s final destination by themselves, in their own time. I am incredibly grateful to all those newspapers, booksellers and others who have chosen not to attempt to spoil Harry’s last adventure for fans.”

UK publisher Bloomsbury goes on to comment in the press release on the worldwide embargo that the publishers customers in 93 various countries, ‘robustly support’ the 12:01am BST embargo on the books. The publisher also issued a thank-you to the many media outlets around the world who have supported their efforts and not released speculated information prior to the release. In part the statement reads:

We would like to thank our customers and suppliers again for their full support given in so many different ways. We would also like to thank the worldwide media for their own observance of, and strict policing of, the embargo to preserve the secrecy of the plot for the readers of Harry Potter.

12 Responses to JKR and Bloomsbury Speak Out About Early Reviews

says:

I cant seem to find an email address to send this:

Writing for a Comedy Series: “Extras: Daniel Radcliffe,” HBO

its pasted from an Emmy nomination for best writing in a comedy series. I know Daniel isn’t nominated but heck just seeing his name there made me smile.

says:

leaky is alive!!!! whats been goin on, too many visits? or is it just my computer… has anyone else been having trouble today getting on leaky?

says:

I’m rather startled at how persistant, almost agressive, JK Rowling is about spoilers. I understand she doesn’t want to ruin the surprise for anyone, but she certainly wasn’t like this for any of the other books. And if she’s concerned about finance, I don’t think spoilers will prevent anyone from actually reading the books, because knowing the ending is one of the least important reasons for reading a Harry Potter book. Don’t get me wrong, Rowling has every reason to be angry and I fully support her, it’s just surprising.

says:

Jo (as well as many other fans including myself) is worried about fans having the opportunity to experience the final HP adventure on their own. It is not an unfair request. Harry has been her ‘baby’ for a very long time and this is the end. For an author to not want her work to complete under an air of controversy seems normal to me.

Myself, I am very disappointed in all who are so cavalier and callous about other people’s desire to experience the final book for themselves. Not that it will ever get read but I sent a scathing note to the NY Times. Hiding behind policy is something they mock their subjects for doing. This is a sad day for true journalism.

says:

Yes it’s been a nightmare getting on here today! As for Jo, good for her. She doesn’t want it spoilt for everyone especially the children who are looking forward to reading what happens for themselves. Financial considerations don’t even come into it. a) she doesn’t need the money and b) spoilers won’t stop people from buying the books – lets face it the people who are most desperate not to be spoiled (myself for one) are the ones most likely to have ordered it already to give themselves the best chance of reading it before its contents are plastered all over the media – it just means the experience of finding out what happens as you read it fresh for the first time will be ruined. So I hope those morons who released the book early are happy with themselves. Hopefully I’ve escaped the worst of it, though I’ve heard one death named and seen something that by implication makes me wonder something else, but I’ve tried very hard to avoid everywhere today! It’s just worrying me now, that if what happens is common knowledge, we won’t be safe when we venture out at midnight to collect our copies.

says:

danny, I’ve been having a lot of trouble getting on this website as well. I’m afraid I don’t know why, though.

says:

I have read the article in the NYT and it does not give much away. I still do not know for sure if Harry lives or die and I stil do not know who dies.

The jouralist was very carefull not to give too much away and he succeeded.

That being said, The NYT should have held on to that article until Tuesday morning, when most of us would have had finished the book. It was a lack of consideration for all the afficionados. But no great harm was done. I will still open that book, Saturday morning, with all the excitement I had before reading that critic. Most of what was “revealed” had been said by Jo in various interviews.

And Yes! getting on the site was murder today. I guess there were too many hits.

Less than two days left… My heart is pumping faster every day.

says:

My letter to the new york times:

To Whom It May Concern:

I cannot begin to express my disappointment in your early review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Not only was it against the authors direct wishes, but also the direct wish of every true Harry Potter fan out there to know anything concerning the story until its release date. Personally, I have waited 10 years to read this book. I read the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone , in July 1997. I was 11 years old at the time. Now, as a 21 year old woman, I am disgusted by how easy it was for the New York Times to give away details on a series they have, on multiple occasions, had on their best sellers list. It is very sad that a respected publication, such as the New York Times, would feel the need to leak details about a book that has long been awaited for and is only one day away from being read by millions of children and adults alike.

This series changed my life, as well as the lives of million of other children. It gave hope to all those who have, at some point, felt sad, alienated, and very much alone. It taught us that nothing lasts forever and happiness arrives when you least expect it (even if seems near impossible.) It taught us never to give up, to keep those you love close and most of all to love with all your heart because it is the most important thing you could ever do.

I know that I, an aspiring writer and avid NY Times reader, for one feel extremely let down by your editorial board. I would expect this from a trashy tabloid, but the NY Times? Who have always been a beacon for proper standards, respected journalism, and good taste? I join the Harry Potter community in expressing my deep disappointment in the NY Times and expect a letter of apology not only to the fans, but also JK Rowling who has spent the better part of her life writing this magnificent series, which has deeply, deeply impacted millions of readers world wide.

says:

I was woken up this morning to be told that someone was reading Deathly Hallows on the radio. It saddens me to think that people canâ€™t respect Jo or her publisher by waiting a lousy day for the book.
Stores very close to me are selling the book right now, but I am going to call myself a real true Potter fan and wait until tomorrow night. I am a huge fan of the books, and as much as I am looking forward to Deathly Hallows I wonâ€™t get my copy until Midnight. Thatâ€™s what Jo wants and she is the one who gave these books to us in the first place.
In my opinion, all of the early readers and spoilers shouldnâ€™t even get to read the book. I still say hand them over to Umbridge! Or maybe Snape, but he probably doesnâ€™t have the timeâ€¦
I am all ready to start rereading Half-Blood Prince. I am really looking forward to Deathly Hallows and do not want any spoilers so I am REALLY rethinking Midnight parties, I just want to get in and get out now.
Enjoy Deathly Hallows everyone! It is so very near. After all of this waiting everyone will finally know that Snape is good ;)
Thanks J.K. Rowling!!

says:

What in the name of the unspecified-deity-of-an-unmentioned-reliigon is a Liquid eror, and why is my leaky telling me one just happened to me?

wtf?

says:

ya leave it to us americans to have to go and try to screw everything up. I totally agree with their reasons for being upset about even reviews being released. It shows we are not respecting the author’s or publisher desires, which is pretty crappy for us to do. when i heard the radio begin to read the review i turned it off and refused to listen or watch the news the rest of the day, which i plan to continue tomorrow

says:

Do you know what is really bothering me about this? I agree that now that the info is out, someone could easily ruin the book I’ve been waiting forever for (remember the guys in the car yelling “Dumbledore is Dead!” to people waiting for a copy of Half Blood Prince?), and I would hate for that to happen, but that’s not what bothers me the most.

How is it that it had to American journalists who leaked the info? I love my country, but why couldn’t it have not been us? The whole world agrees to keep a secret, then we have to be the ones to spill it.

When I got a new car, I issued the following statement to all the children I come into contact with : If you scratch my car, if a ball hits my car, if you sneeze on my car, I will put your head on a stake, and use it as an antenna bobble.

The same now goes for those who spoil the book for me. And don’t worry over the fact that I only have the one antenna. I can also hang one from the rear-view mirror.